Kiln hood and support



June 12, 1928.

A. H. COLBERT ET AL KI'LN Hoon AND SUPPORT Filed May 10, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet l June 12, 192s. 1,673,396

A. H. COLBERT ET AL KILN HOOD AND SUPPORT Filed Mayo, 1926A '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. H. coLBERT ET AL KILN Hoon AND SUPPORT June12, 1928. l 1,673,396

Filed May 10. ,1926 7 sheets-sheet 3 June l2, 1928.

A. H. COLBERT ET AL KILN HOOD AND SUPPORT 7 sheets-sheet 4 Filed May lO, 1926 if-- n June 1K2, 1928'.

1:673,396 A. H. coLBl-:RT ET AL KILN HOOD AND SUPPORT Filed May lo, 1926 'l sheets-sheet 5 7 Sheets-'Sheet e Filed May 10, 1926 KILN HOOD AND SUPPORT -A. H. COLBERT ET AL June 12, 1928.

A. H. COLBERT ET AL KILN HOOD AND SUPPORT Filed May l0, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented June 12, 19.28.

UNITED STATES PATENT'oFFicie;. 4

.ALVIN H. COLBER'I, CHARLES R. MCCONNER, AND RALPH L. BAKER, OF CHICAGO, i

ILLINOIS.

KILN HOOD .AND SUPPORT.

Application led May 10,

rllhis invention relates generally to the brick making art and particularly to the provision of a traveling structure arranged to be moved from kiln to kiln for supporting a kiln during the tiring process and for carrying a hood or kiln closure to collect and carry away the vapors and hot gases.

In the brick making art the wet molded bricks are first dried, either under normal atmospheric conditions or under conditions not greatly departing therefrom. Brick so dried are then built up into a kiln, a part ot which is usually formed of burntl brick. Special supporting means are usually erected for sustaining the kiln walls during the contraction and expansion incident to the firing process. The tiring process is first conducted slowly to drive oil' water held in the brick and not removed by the iirst drying stage. This is known as thewater smoking stage during which the gases Aissuing 'from the kiln are heavy with water vapor. Following this stage the intense tiring` is carried out to bake the brick. During the heating process much heat is ordinarily wasted and the combustion gases discharged from the kiln are troublesome to the workmen and also to t-he residents in the surrounding territory.

The present invention aims to provide a structure which can be associated with a kiln to su port it during the iring stage and to collect the heated gases therefrom for utilizing the heat and for discharging the gases into a high stack.

A further ob] ect of the invention is to `provide a structure ot the above character which is capable of being moved from kiln to kiln.

A particular object is the provision of supporting means for the kiln wall to be carried by the movable structure. f

Another object of the invention is the prof vision ot flexible wedge supports tor the kiln wall which automatically yield on expansion of the kiln and which will reposi tion themselves on contraction of the kiln.

Still another object is to provide a gas collecting hood for the kiln capable of sealing the top thereof to permit drawing the heated gases from the kiln for use elsewhere as in the initial drying of the brick.

.A further object of the invention is to proT 1926. y Serial No. 107,858.

vide danipers in the hood capable of render-y ing the hood ineitective to collect gases from the kiln and to permit them to escape when desired, as -in the case during the water smoking stage. y V f y Still another object is to provide a hood having mechanically operated means associ ated therewith forsealing the space between the hood and kiln.

A 'further object is the provision of automaticduct registering and duct valve controlling mechanisms associated with the hood. i

Still other and ancillary objects and advantages of the invention are contemplated as will become more apparent from the en-` suing description oi` an exemplary embodi-k ment oi the invention as disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a cross section of a brick shed showing a kiln and an end view ot the traveling structure. i

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the generalrelation of the hood `to the kilns for which it is used.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation ot one section of a traveling structure showingchietly the construction o i'i the gantry leg support.

Fig. l is a plan view of one section of the traveling structure.

Fig. 5 is a fragi'nentary rear elevation of the travelingstructure. f

Fig. 6 is a cross section of the hood taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. l looking toward the rear side.

Fig. 7 is a cross section of the .hood on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4, looking endwise.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail end view of the structureshowing the kiln wall supporting means. ,f y

Fig. 9 is a plan `view of one of the brick wall supporting units turned aside.

Fig. 10 is a plan view ot the brick wall support taken on the line 10-10 of Fig, 8.

Fig. 11 is a transverse vertical section at the rear side showing the rear brick wall supports and the truck supports for the hood.

Fig. 11iL is aldetail plan view on the line a--ct o't Fig. 11.

Fig. 12 is a detail view in a vertical plane of the duct registering and damper opera-t.a ing meckern-i531. i i

Fig, 13 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. l2 taken on the line 13-13 thereof.

The iappara'tusi` Shown in the drawings is given onlyby wa of explaining the objects, thev nature, and t e advantages of the invention. `.`loxve.verralthough it is` the referred.

embodiment of the invention, its il ustrative use is not to be construed as a limitation of the invention to the precise detailsof construction and the arrangements of the parts disclosed and described.' ""It'is to be `understood that the invention ,is susceptible of modifications in construction and arrangement. and ythat it comprehends all" such modiliedy forms and1 departures as'may fall'xvithin the scope ofthe appended'claims.

v Inl general the presently described 'embodiment of ,they invention comprises a traveling' structure housedv in along shed. The shed shelters a series of kilns as they are being successively built up, fired, cooled and torn down. An exhaust duct runs along the' length of thesh'ed andis provided with dampered ports which are adapted .to register with corresponding ports in a hoodv forming a partof 'the traveling structure. One portion of the traveling structure is supported by a gantry legrjunning upon a track on the round or floor-of theshed. The

gantry eg carriesadjustable supporting (lll means, for. the adjacent wallY ofy the kiln, the construction being 'such that the supports will automatically adjust themselves toy the variations in the kiln dimensions which result from expansionand contraction during the firing process.` yThe kiln hood is provided with movable sealing means adapted to close a space at the top of thefkiln intervcning between the hood'structure and the top of the kiln walls. "Suction is applied to the exhaust duct to draw heated gases' into the hood and thence into the d uct. The sealing means not only prevents the drawing in of cooler surrounding outside air, but alsoy prevents the escape of the heated gases from the kiln to the shed. Controllable dampers are also provided in the hood to permit theescape of. water vapor in the `preliminarystagejs andl also to'admit when necessary cooler gases from the space above the hood' in order to maintain the metal structure suicieu'tly cool to preventidamage by overheating. i

y Referriii'" to'f the drawings, Figure l shows a cross-' section of a sli/ed used^ for the brick kilns.` i Generally described it has a roof 15 supportedoncolurnns 16 and' 17. On the door ofthe shed along-one` side wallf thereof there isarailvvay, track 18 to the right of which the kilns are-builtfup.v The columns 16 and 17 also support two lines of- Lbeams 19 near thetp fr track rails 20 upon which Ill'rii an "velieadicraie" 21 'used lrlhe Work on the kilns. For the purposes ofv the presthe present instance ent invention it is best to provide the crane as high in the shed as possible and preferably spanninc the whole width of the shed shown or at ileast a greater ywidth than the space occupied by the kiln. The crane is t-hus so removed in order to provide a space for the traveling .tlulueovellih kilns and beneath the crane. y

In the present instance the traveling structure. comprises a hood portion 22 sup ported at 011e side on a track 23 carried ou thecolumns 17 andfon the other side by a gantry leg structure 24 reaching' to the ground an'dk rolling on a track 2 5. Alongside the shed extends a tubular conduit 26 with which is associated an exhaust fan 26. The exhaust duct 26 is carried on bracket arms 27`extending outwardly from the posts 17. These bracket armsA inr the present in stance also extend inwardly and carry the track 23 for the hood. A plurality `of spaced ducts 28 lead from the conduit 26 toward the hood structure 22. The relation of these structural parts will be made more applarent hereinafter as the r(description. procee s. i

structure herein described is approximately 130 feet long by 35 feet wide and fifteen feet high, tapering upwardly. In view ofthe size of uthe structures herein involved, it

Each kiln used in connection with the must be understood that the drawings do not disclose all the detailsv of construction, but only such parts as are essential to the invention and` such other parts' as maybe con veniently shown.'v

The 'crane 21 may he used lo move the traveling structure, which as a unit is slightly larger inv size than a kiln to be covered thereby.` In Fig. 2the hood: structure 22 is shown in plan view in outline only. For convenience in constructing the, hood, in

lUU

movingl it from place to place, or in using it,

it is preferably made in two similar sections22 and 22@y which can be rigidly .securedv together to form the desired unit hood. However, the structure of each Sec tion is such that without any alteration the two sections maybe separated from cach other and used independently as single hoods. Since the two sections are duplicates, but one Willbe described. ln Fig. 3 the two sectionsI are shown placed end lo end with abutting flanges 2!) andk 29? arranged to be fastened together when desired to form, a large unitary hood structurel a p In general, cach section (Figse, 6 and 7) comprises four transverse I-beams 30 across which are placed five lines of spacedLbeams 31 longitudinally of the section. Four lines ofy the 1I-beams 31 are placed on topof the transverselbeams 30 and oneline 31, at the gantry leg side, isplaced belowfthe level of' the remaining longitudinal beams, being in placed between ethe intense transverse beams 3() so that the tops oi the perpendicular beams and 31 are flush. Gussot plates are used at the joints and yinte-rse -tions to provide a lrigid. connection for the hood skeleton.

On the so-called front side of the structure',the ends ot the transverse I-beains 30 are supported from the ground track 9.5v by thefoantry leg construction 24:, later to be dscr'ied7 and on the other side by a number of trucks which run on the track lEach transverse I-beam is connected to a truck comprising` a short I-beam 33 'tornr ing a T or L-joint with each cross beam 230 Ll and Each truck beam 33 bears at .its ends a Wheel bracket 34; With a flanged vfhce h The arrangements of the trucks on. on thetwo middle cross beams 30 are identical. but the relation is varied slightlylor the end beams in order to permit a dupl'i? eating construction for the two sections and to permit the desired interiitting relation. As seen in Fig. 5 the tivo end truck beams 33 ref shorter at their outer ends as indicated at 36 and 3T. rlhe inner end or' the end truck beams in each instance is the same in length as the ends ofthe middle truck beams 33. 0n the free end ot the section the truck-beam end 36 is provided With a bracket 34 and Wheel 35. On the jointed end ot' the section the truck-beam end 37, in place ot receiving a bracket EB-l and Wheel 85, is so formed that it abuts a similar beam end on the other section 22", this beam being designated 37" (Fig. 5). l rl"he truck beams 33 are rigidly interconnected 4by channel bars 3S, 38 and 39 spanning the space between them. The channel bar 39 at the divisional end of the section is of greater sizeand strength than the other bars 38 in order to aid in supporting the end cross l am 30 independently of the corresjionding'truck portion on section 2Q". v

On the front sidooit tl'iestructure (Fig. 3) the supporting gantry leg for the cross beams 33 comprises I-cohunns L10' rigidly secured to the cross beams. The columns 40 rest" upon ausili ll carrying Wide double flanged vvhcelsl)` running on track Q5. Diagonal cross ties 43 are provided between the columns. Along the top and on the outer side ot the columns a connecting channel liar al completes the traine structure.

r,"ue skeleton framework ot the hood as aliiove descril'ied. provides a base on which to build up the desired hood forni. and upon Whicl'i to support various operating appurtenances used in connection With the. hood and with the kiln over which the hood is jilz'icei'l. In usingI the hood it is placed over an open top kiln to dravv he hot gases away and to lead them to the exhaust duct 26.

In the initial stages of firing a large amount of water vapor is driven of which is not useful in drying the brick and which therefore is not taken into the duct *26. Ao-

cordingly means is provided to permit the lare provided with dampers to permit the escape o'l" water vapor and alsoto permit drawing in cooler outside air.r The sheet metal lining of the hood is generally designated by the numeral 45; It is dipped downwardly as shown at 4:6 (Fig. 6) to pass under the cross beams 30 'leaving the beams ex posed at the topof the hood. All along the gantry side the sheet met-.il surface l5 is inclined as shown at 47 (Fig. 7) between the lower line oit' the longitudinal beams 3l and the adjacent higher line 3l. yThis structure forms a sort ot' invert-ed trough between each pair oit adjacent cross beams. T he dampers are illustrated in the plan vieW in Figpll, these being in the present instance rectangular in shape and alined in pairs between adjacent cross beams 30. Two dampers are placed Within each opening of the skeleton frame. Each damper is'lormed by a short rectangular box-like opening 48 projecting up tromthe sheet inetal'surlface 45. A common shaft t9 passes through each line of. dampers and carries in each box structure a butterflyV member 50 (Fig. v6). The two shaft-s 49 associated lengthwise o'l" each troughare interconnected as by a chain 5l passing over sprocket Wheels 52 (Figs. 3 and Ll). One of theconnected shattshas a depending chain 53 passing over a sprocket wheel SAL so ythat eac`h group of connected dampers may be simultaneously operated from the ground. i

It is particularly desirable that the hood lit tightly over the kiln to seal it so that the exhaust fan may `draw through the kiln. Self-adjusting means is provided `for this purpose which may be readily Withdrawn trom elective position to permit moving the hood structure. n 4

lllovable means are therefore employed for closing or sealing the space between the hood and the kiln Walls. Because oit the contract-ion and expansion of the kiln during the process of `tiring, the closing means are made in independent units, each unit being adapted to yield so that the variation in va rions parts of the `walls may be met. The sealing means preferably assumes the torni ot' a plurality of independent flaps arranged around the edge of the hood. These are represented by the numeral 55 (Figs. t and 6 to S). The flaps are placed about the onr edges oi each section sothat each section may, when required, be used independently as a completejhood. The flaps. at the c long edges of` the' hoodl are secured to the 'hood proper bya piano-hinge joint 56 (Figs. 8 and 11i) tol avertical portion 453 ofthe -sheet 'metal which forms; the; body ofthe hood.w Eaclrflap isisuspended by a chain 57 which isseeured toa shaft about which Ait,

may be` wound4 toj raisev the flap.v In Fig. 4 thereareshown four such shatts designatedy 10.58,- 595, 60 and 61, therev being one for eac-h edge ofthe hood section.1 The shaft 58 is located alonggthe` division-line end .of the section and is connectedthrough gearing 63,

(Eig. 4) toY appull chainsprocket 64 by :means of which the flap chains57 are wound`l up to raisefall thejiiaps 55'along thedivisional edge. In Fig.c 6 the flaps 55A onsection 22iand the `flaps 55b on thesection 221 are' shown in vverticalf position, beingar` y ranged.` face to. facel `whenfthe two sections abut each other.` thereby toy form a seal ble-y tweeathe two: sections. The chain winding shaft 59y ony the gantny side is connected by gearing (lliggl)V to a pull'. chain sprocket 25 Wheeb 66 |`for, similarly operating allv the gantry side flaps. the free end the chain winding; shaft 6() isconnected by gearing 67 tota Aullcha-in;sprocket68; Theremainf' ing sh 4- tl is similarly related to gearing tion from which therel projects fa, short rectangular Vconduit 72 extending.. outwardly past the yvertical line of. track 23.

' An automatic arrangement is usedy by means ofwhich communication is establishedl between the hood andthe exhaust duct`26 only when the` ducts 28 and 72 register propr erly with each other.Y A.spaced along the shedl arc't-hebranch pipesory ducts 28 above menx tioncd, which lead into the main ducty 26 (Fig. l1), these being spaced apart (Fig. 4)' the same asth'ehood ports 72 andlbeing simi-. larly shaped. The conduits 28 are dampered by butteriiy valves 7 3 (Figs. 1I and 12.)., each' vailyebcing inountedon a shaft Piwhich has externally of its duet ajcrank arm 75v (Fig. 12). One side of the valve is weighted as r shownat 76 so that it willclose automati.

cally.` .Operating means for the buttery valveis provided so that as the ,hood` and ducts are being positioned in proper regis-l tration the valvewill open.,y The registry y of the ducts isM accomplished by providing each ofthe two^ opposed conduits 28 and 72 with flanges (Fig. 12)" adapted to abuteach other. The flange 77`on the conduit 28 is fixedA thereto. y, l n l ductv ,isE carried on a -sleeve'' which slides.'

Theifianger 78 `on the hood;`

in and out of the duct 72. At the bottom of the duct 72 near the end thereof there is" provided at each side a pivot 80 upon which atwo-armedr lever or bell crank is mounted.y One arm 8'l`jis pivotally connected at 82 to. 7n the sleeve flange 78 so that thesleeve and' flange maybe moved' toward and away from the duct 28. The other arm 81 is usedvfor moving the bell crank and `'for this lpurpose it carries a iiexibleextension 83' proi. jecting into the path of a cam 84 mounted ontlie operating shaft 85. The shaft 85 isy preferably common to all the duets on each section and is operated by a pull-l chain sprocket 86 (Fig. 4),. Each cam 84 is point- 80. ed andwhenturned in one direction it urges the movable flange toward the. fixed' iange (full line position of arm83 'in Fig.`12). The resiliency of arm 83 provides a yielding connection between the common yoperating 85 shaft and each pairof registerin ducts. 1t permits the cam to pass-be on 'the point necessary to effect closure, tie 4iifexible arm yielding to take the excess motion. This construction takes care of any irregularities il" 1n adjustment "and in construction andi readily permits all ofthe ports to be closed? by the same operation.

lhe damper-opening means for the conf dult 28 is associated with the duct registry 9cl mcchanslnfor operation thereby. rm 811 is extended and is vprovided at the end with a hooked portion 87 (Fig.12) extending over the ianges. Pivoted tothe framgnvorkM of the shed at 88 thereis al swinging, arm 10U 89 having ay slotted end 90 engaging a pin` 91 on t he-crank arm 75 ofthe damper. A. projecting cam lug92'on the arm 89 isy positloned in the path `of the hook portion 87 f as the latterinoves withthe bell crank. The 106 arrangement is suchthat theswinging arm 81v moves the arm 89 causing the weightedk damper73 to beturned andthe duct thereby opened. y, It is obvious that this takes p ace automatically on the proper ,regis-v 110 tration of the two ductends. Onf removal of the duct 72 the weight76 automatically closesthel damper. e f

As before mentioned', a kiln `does ,not maintain its original dimensions. There is. U5 a certain degree of expansion and contraction during the process votheating and cool lng. For this reason it is'customary to sup-f port the brick walls `defining the kilnto ensure that they will not topple over. y yIn 12" the present instance, the supporting means.

is` carried by the traveling structure. Selfadjusting supports are used. In describing the nature of the supporting means, lt

should be pointed out that` the Aexhaust side ma of the hood isvsubstantially fixed by virtue` of the wheels 35 holding this end of the structure substantially rigidi laterallypn the track 23. the' hood itselfis subjected to heating andi cooling, `its expansion' is con- 3U the gantry side.

Vthe expansion of the traveling structure.

As a result of this condition lit is possible to arrange a substantially iiXed wall-supporting lmeans on the exhaust side ot' the traveling structure, and if it is desired, to mount adjustable wall-supporting means on Portions of the movable structure when positioned adjacent the kiln provide a substantially fixed backing support alongside and spaced from a kiln wall. Into the gap or space between the kiln wall and the backing support there are positioned wall supporting means which are designed automatically to span the gap irrespective ot variations of the gap due chiefly to contraction and expansion of the kiln. To permit expansion, the wall supporting means are made to yield to compression, and to permit contraction, the wall supporting means'are adapted to yield to a release of pressure thereon.

The wall supporting means hereinyused are preferably laterally resilient Wedges indicated bythe triangular structures designated 95 in Fig. 11. Each is a strip 0i' metal bar bent into the substantially triyangular shape shown.

Means is provided for spacing said wedges apart along Vthe walls and to permitindependent adjustment ol" each wedge vertically. A rigid horizontal support 9G is hung `by arms 97 lrom the superstructure of the hood. Each supporting triangle is mounted for sliding vertically with relation to the horizontal supporting bar 9G. The slidable relation is obtained by mounting astrap 99 horizontally along the support (Fig. 11a), the strap and bar creating a vertically extending opening having a narrow space 100 in which one leg 98 ojt the triangle may be positioned Ytor vertical movement, and having also a larger space 101 into wl'iiclrthe same leg oi the triangle may be moved. The space 101 is made suiiciently large so that the leg of the triangle may be turned therein to move the triangle into a position parallel with the kiln. This structure permits permanent mounting of the triangular wedges and permits their being readily displaced from supporting position so that the structure may be moved without the supports interfering with the kiln walls. 'Ihe'shape and structure of the triangle is important in that it provides a ieXible wedge tojbe compressed between the supporting bar ou one side and the brick wall' on 'the other. `Excessive pressure on thel triangle causes the mounted leg to llex (dotted lines, Fig. 11) thus permitting the leg adjacent the kilnto be carried outwardly in ieldinff to eX oansive force. U )on contracy 2: i j

tion, however, the Wedge becomes loosely mounted, and because of its slidable relation to the horizontal support 96, it drops and always maintains a liked lateral support as the kiln contracts.

` vGn the gantry leg similar triangular supports are employed, thesebeing provided in two horizontal series (Figs. 3 and 8). Each series is similarly mounted. The wedge sup` ports are thesame as used on the rear side and are likewise designated by the numeral 95. The same slip mounting is used, and the mounting parts are similarly designated (Figs. 9 and 10). On the gantry side the strips 99 areA secured to a laterally movable angle bar 102 corresponding to the iiXed bar 96 on they opposite side ot the structure. These angle bars `102 are thus arranged in three pairs, one pair for each space between columns 40. Each bar 102 is horizontally slidable on brackets 103 carried on the columns 40, and the motion on said brackets is controlled by h'and Wheels 104 withfshafts 105 threaded into the bars. rlhis construction permits an ,operator not only to move the triangles if necessary as the traveling structure expands but also to adjust them for the movements ot the kiln. i j

The heatl ior burning the bricks is trequently supplied by the use ot Yfuel oil burners. bince the tire is used only while the traveling structure is in place about the kiln, the oil :burners and thev supply ypipes are preferably mounted on the traveling strueture.` Fig. 1` shows diagrammatically a numberof burners designated 106 mounted Von the gantry leg 24. An oil pipe 107 and for receiving the lateral supportsand the n hood, the structure is then moved, either in sections or asa whole unit, to its position around the kiln. As the structure is being inoved toward the kiln the supporting triangles are all arranged laterally as shown in Fig. 9 so that they clear the kiln walls as they pass. Also the flanged sleeve 7 9 (Fig. 12) on eachfhood duct is withdrawn to its innermost position "by operation of the cams 84. All the lap chain shafts 58, 59, 60 and 61 have the chains 57 wound ther-ecn to raise the sealing flaps so that in the motion ott-he structure thefilaps will clear the top of the kiln. lVhen the hood is positioned over the kiln the flaps are dropped so that the chains 5T vbecome loose. Each lap then `tinds its own location corresponding to the local level of the wall. The triangular supprts are then raised and turned in their' mountings so that they support the' wall of the kiln as shown in Figs. S and'll. They tiring is started and lll) the vdempers 5l opened to permit the escape oit water vapor. lLater.:these Aare closed; when it is desired torcllraw oithef'heat, andlgases from the kiln. At :thisttime the shaft 85 (Fig. 12) iisturned:1toinove"tl1e.,du0ts` oi the hood'andythc exhaustfinto `register. This init'o'niaticaflilyf swings theA arms 89. to.V open the dempers 73. @Suction iomf-the exhaust clucelmtttheniv draws the heat and gEISeS through :the 'kiln-'intothehood and through the diucti. As theI heat, becomes more intense it maybe necessary to cool. the hood and skeleton 'brame by; ,admitting cooler. r air into the top of'theLhoodir .'Lhie smay. be donc by vopening the top.Y kdannpei's iprotided j in` the hood..."y i i i e Weelaim asourrinvention" A f 1. A' teaveling structurefadapted tombe movedinto placeovcr fabriek kiln compris. `1ng,f1n combination, a gas-collecting hood,

rolling: supports therefor, meansicarriefd by 'said pal-lts for snpportinguthe fwallsni ,the kiln, and other means carried by said parts y of vases from the' ion closingl thespace betweenthe top.` of .the kiln` and thebottomof-the'hood. f v f 2., Ai traveling structure adapted .to `be moved into placeqonei `a brick kilncornprising in combinatiom a gas lcollecting t hood, nolling supports"therefor7 means carried by Asaid` parts for supporting the walls ofthe .kilnyothen means-carried by` said parts for closingfthespace between thetop of the kiln and the bottom of thehood,.said `hood-losing constructed, to .provide adscharge port-.for

:the gases,colilected,v andpval-Yed ventilating meansiin the hoodtok permit the-freeescape saidgport.

moved. into place over a.. brick4 kilnl comprising', in combinatiom a gas,collecting` hood, supports therefogmeans attached to oneof said: parts for, supporting` Athe Walls .of the kiln, means` on thehood adaptedfor connec-y ing, yin combination,` a gascollecting hood,

rolling supports therefor, 4and means carried 'hy'saidparts for supporting thegwalls ofthe kiln. a l y t .'5; In iti-device of the;characterftlcsribed,

i a hoodfor cover lfarrangedtoacollect gases from ai brick kilnY for discharge into a duet, saidihood khaving dampens therein tobe open for-the escapeo gases unsuitable 4foi-:dise charge into'saidduct. i,

A6L. Ai; tnanelingstmcture ,for use in, firing vbrick kilnscomprising, in combination, la gas collecting! hood :niaptedl to Vbemolled from ,kilnj to kiln, kiln ovali supports movable rlvvith the hood andadapted to support the walls hood other thanthrough' fof they the, hood .fixed oversaicl kiln, means providing a portan lthe hood through which the collected gasesy may be discharge@ and other means for venting the hood to permit the escape oit gases otherwise than, through :said port. i ,Y

g 7. A f travelingY structure adapted r1to f be moved trom kiln to kiln, `said structure l have .ing mounted thereona iuel burner for .the kiln, and a hood to collect hot combustibIl` Agases fromsaid burner after pnssingtlnough vertically extending opening therein having anarrow `portion and a wide portion, a laterally resilient fwedge-sh,apied member han- .ing apart thereofmonnteclfor vertical sliding, in `Said opei'iing,4 .said member being, in-

capable of turning ongy a, vertical, axishvliile positioned in themarrow portion andbeing capable of turning ona vertical Lartis when positioned in the wide portion. c

9,.'Means 4forV supporting the. wall 'of a brick kiln, comprisin ,c combination,y a

.main supporting mem er'adnpted to ybe `positioned adjacent the "wall Vof the kiln Yand .pnoviding a vertically extending opening therein, anda strip of metal bent mtoua substantially tri ular., sha e with. one leg ,mounteidinsai opening or vertical sliding therein. ,i t, t v

K10..y `An automatically adjustable. supporting meansfor wallsof brick `kilns comprising, in combination, ay laterally iexible wedge, and Lmeans, for monntin said wedge to pemnit dropping of the we ge on releasing lateral pressure thereon.

11. An .automatically adjustable support for the `Walloii a. brick` kiln comprising a wedge, and a backing` support for hol said wedgeagajinst a wall of a kilnvsai support Vpermitting:the wedge to drop` on a ieparating, movement ofV the support and 1 n. i f l 12. .lt/.Leanskto supportl a wall of a brick f kilny comprising'i n. triangular stri of,` metal .havingflexible sides, and means or mount# ing. one, ,leg ol.|` the, triangle at* a point .intermediatethe ends of said legtopermit lexure `of `the mountedleg by pressurebetween the triangle and thesupport. 4

13. Means-,for supportingrthe wall of a i brick kiln comprising, in combination, asubstantially fixed support positioned alongside a kiln iwall, .an `adjustably mounted member parallelingsaid WallE and, adj ustably movable towardandaway therefrom, anda plurality Voi resilient means spaced along said member for yieldingly snp ortin the wall.

14. Af brick .kilili` o walls fixe support paralleling aivvall ofthe kiln,

y l 'upporting means confusing., 1n comb1natxona` substantially and a plurality of resilient means spaced along said member for yieldingly supporting the wall.

15. A brick kiln Wall-supporting means comprising, in combination, aA substantially fixed support paralleling a wall oi the kiln, and a. plurality et independent vertically adjustable wedges spaced along said member Ytor yieldingly supporting the wall.

16. In Aa device for supporting the wall of a brick kiln, a plurality of supports normally arranged perpendicular to the wall in a supporting relation, and mounting means ttor said supports permitting displacement thereof from the normal perpendicular position by motion away from the wall.

17. Kiln wall supporting mea-ns comprising, in combination, backing means adapted to be fixed alongside and spaced from a kiln wall, and means to be positioned between the wall and said backing means adapted to yield to compression thereon and to yield to a release of compression thereon7 whereby said means. automatically spans the gap between the backing means and the kiln wall. j

18. Brick kiln wall-supporting means comprising` in combination, backing means adapted to be fixed alongside and spaced 'from a kiln wall, and resilient means adapted to be positioned in the space between the wall and the backing means. n

19. Brick kiln wall-supporting means comprising, in combination, backing means adapted to be fixed alongside and spaced from a brick kiln wall, and means adapted to be positioned in the space between said backing means and said kiln wall, said means beingr arranged to compensate for expansion and contraction et said space.

20. A wall support tor brick kilns comprising` in combination, a backing support adapted to be positioned adjacent tl e wall of a kiln, a plurality ot wedges adapted to be held between said support and said kiln wall, each ot' said wedges spanning the gap between the support and the wall and being Afree to drop automatically upon a relatively separating movement of the kiln wall and. backing support.

21. A brick kiln wall support comprising, in combination, backing means to be positiencd adjacent the wall of a brick kiln, means to be interposed between said backing means and said kiln wall, said means being adapted automatically to span the'gap between the support and the wall on a separating movement between the said support and said wall.

22. An automatically adjustable support for the wall ot a brick kiln comprising, a resilient wedge and a backing support for holding said wedge against a wall of a kiln, said support permitting the wedge to drop on separating movement ot the support and kiln wall.

Q3. A support for the wall of a brick kiln comprising, in combination, a sell-adjusting device, a. movable backing support lor holding said device against a wall of a kiln, and means for attaching said device to the support in order for the device to be carried thereby on moving thesupport.y

24. A hood structure comprising, in combination, a plurality of rigidly connected parallel beams, a. plurality oit other beams crossing said `first mentioned parallel beams, means forming a hood on the under side ot the network of beams, dampers in said hoodorming means Opening upwardly at the spaces between the beams, and means tor simultaneously operating al yplurality oit said dampers in a group.

25. A hood structure comprising," in combination, a plurality oil' rigidly connected parallel beams, a pluralityot other beams crossing said first mentioned parallel beams.

means forming a. hood 'on t-he under side of the network of beams, and dampers in said hood-forming meansopemng upwardly at the spaces `between the beams.

26. A hood ystructure comprising, in combinat-ion, a plurality of parallel beams. all of said beams on one side oi the hood being secured at the ends to a rolling gantry leg, each beam at the other end being secured to a rolling truck, connecting beams between adjacent trucks, a plurality oil other beams crossing said first mentioned parallel beams, and means forming a'hood on the under side oi the network otbeams.`

27. A hood structure having a framework of steel exposed yon the 1upper side, and a lining on the under side o'l' said `framework forming a hood for the collection ot heated gases.

28. Incombination, an exhaustduct having` a plurality oil spaced valved ports assoc-:iated therewith. a bood movable along the line ot the exhaust duct and having a plurality ot' spaced ports adapted to register with a number oil the exhaust duct ports, each hood port having an extensible end port-ion movable toward and'away from an exhaust duct porty for `registry therewith, common means for operating said extensible hood duct ends simultaneously to cause said ports to register. and a yielr able connection between each extensible member and said common operatingr means.

29. In combination, an exhaustduct having a plurality of ports therein, a hood mevable along the line oit said duct and having a port adapted to register with any port ot` the exhaust duct, a damper in each exhaust duct port. said damper being arranged to be normally closed and to close automatically, and means associatedwith said duets B musee ing aiplurality of spaced valved ports associated therewith, Va hood movable along the line of the duct and having a port adapted to register with any `of .the ports of the exhaust duct, said hood port havingan extensible end portion movable toward .and away from the duct, port, and means automatifca-lly operable to open the valved duct port when the extensible end moves toward the duct pout toyregister therewith.

31. In combination, "an exhaustvduct havingaawplurality of spaced valved ports associated therewith, a hood movable along ,the line of the duct and havinga port adapted to regi-ster` with any portl of the .exhaust duct, and means automatic-ally operable to open a val-ved duct port'whenthe ,two lports v register...` i 1, f

32; A gas collecting hood for brick kilns comprising, in combination, two similar sections adapted to be secured together, each section being a complete and operative hood,

ysealing means on each. edge of each section to yclose the space betweenthe hood and the walls of the kiln under said section, said meanson theadjoining edges of the sections beingfadaptefd to be'y raisedfrom the top ofv the kiln andto form with each other a seal at Athe division line of the joined sections, the vremaining sealing means of the sections being continuous about ,the hood formed by the joined sections. c

33. Inadeviceofthe character described, a gas collecting hood adapted to be moved to cover they open top of'a brick kiln,y means about the edges ofsaid .hood arraneed to seal the space between the hood and the `top of the kiln walls, said means comprisingva plurality of independent liaps movably carried by the hood,1each flap being adapted to form a sealing contact at the top of a kiln wall, and means associated with theiaps on one edge for raising the Haps simultaneously away from the kiln -Wall.

34.-. In a deviceof the character described, a gas'colleeting hood adapted to bemoved `to cover theopentop vof a brick kiln, means about the edgespof said bood yarranged to seal4 the space between the hood and the top ofthe Ykiln Walls,-said means comprising a plurality of independent members movably 1 carried by the hood, each member being adapted to form a sealing Contact at thetop of a kiln wall, and operating means'4 for raising: al plurality. of saidfmeinbers simultaneously to'elear the kiln. y

` 35. In aY device of the character described, ay gas collecting hood adaptedto bejmoved to cover thelopenV top of a brickfkiln, and meansabout theiedges` of saidfhood arranged to= seal theV space between 4the. hoodandi the ltop of the kiln Walls, said means comprising a plurality of independent members movably carried by the hood, each member being adapted to find itsleveldon the top of a kiln `Wall.

36. In a .device of the character described having a gas collecting hood for brick kilns. a plurality of flaps lungedto the hood and adapted to rest on the Wall of the kiln to seal ,the space between the kiln and the hood, an'operatng shaft extending.,r` kalong said flapsyand gchains secured to the flaps andv arranged to be wound on said shaft.

37. In a device of the character described, a gas collecting hood adapted to be moved to cover the open top of a brick kiln,`and means about the edges of said h-ood arranged to seal the `space, between the hood and the top of the kiln walls.

38. In a. device of the character described,

a gas collecting hood for brick kilns, a flap hinged to the yhood and adapted to rest on thewall kof ,the `kiln y to seal the space be tween the kiln and the hood in the region ofthe Hap.

39. A movably supportedA gas-collecting hood for brick kilns having adjustable means associated therewith forming a continuous closure or seal for the space between the hood and the Vwallsof a kiln beneath the hood,.and 'suction means arranged to be associated with the hood for drawing gases into thehood from the kiln. f

40.y kA `movably f supported, gas-collecting hood yfor brick kilns. having adjustable means .associated therewith forming a continuous closure or sealfor the spa-ce between the hood and the walls of a kiln beneath the hood.

41. A movablyy supported kgas-colli-Jcting hood for `brickkilns having a plurality oi flexibly arranged independent means associated therewith to form a continuous closure or seal `for vthe Space between the hood and the walls of a kiln beneath the hood.

42. In an apparatus for carrying away kiln vapors, the conibination of two relatively movable duets, oneof said `ducts having-a movable section adapted to be advanced into register with the othelyduct, a`- valve in said other duct,.and means for automatically opening said valve when the movable section is advanced into register with said otherv duct. i

43; In an apparatus for carrying away kijln vapors, the combination of tivo ducts yrelatively movable laterally into and out of alinement with each other, a valve in one of said ducts, and means for operating said valve when the ducts yare 1n alinemeut, said operating means being ineffectivel when the l ducts areuout of alinement.

44. Thecombination ofY a stationary duct lhaving abranch. duct,a valve insaidbranch fir llU

duet, a kiln hood movable along the stationary duct and having a duet adapted to register with said branch duet, and means on the kiln hood for operating said valve.

45. The combination of a stationary duct having a branch duct, a valve in said branch duct, a kiln hood movable along the stationary duet and having a duct adapted to register with said branch duct, an arm conneeted to operate said valve, an arm on said 15 hood arranged to engage the other arm only when the hood duet registers with the branch duct, and means to operate the second arm. In testimony whereof We have hereunto aixed our signatures.

ALVIN H. COLBERT. `CHARLES R. MCCONNER.

RALPH L. BAKER. 

